Evolution of the doctrine and practice of humanitarian intervention

by Abiew, Francis Kofi

Abstract (Summary)

The legitimacy of humanitarian intewention in international relations has long been
a subject of controversy. in the wake of recent humanitarian crises and varying international
responses to such situations, the debate surrounding humanitarian intervention has
experienced a revival with important impiications for the principle and its practice. On one
hand, thete is the Mewpoint that humanitarian intervention cannot be legal, justifiable, or
permissible. On the other, there is a growing international concem for the protection of
human nghtsand the right of intervention towards those ends, or for some, an obligation to
intervene when violations reach a stage that incite the outrage of the international
community
.
This dissertation attempts to demonstrate a legitimate bais for humanitarian
intervention through an examination of the evolution of the principle and its practice. It
argues that state sovereignty is not incompatible with humanitarian intervention. Sovereignty
implies responsibility, and thus when egregious human rights violations ocw either arising
fiom governrnental acts or in srniatonsof intemal confiid, intervention isjustified to protect
those rights.
This study outlines the historical deveiopment of humanitkan intervention before
undertaking an investigation of the evolution and strength of the p~ciple
and its practice
under the UN Charter during the Cold War period. It then proceeds to an examination of the
sape of collective humanitarian intervention in the post-Cold War era by focusing on the
cases of Iraq, the former Yugoslavia, Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia and Haiti, and concludes by
assessing contemporary developments in terms of sources of support for humanitarian
intervention. The study demonstrates growhg support for humanitarian intervention as a
fundamental principle of international relations.